Equipment

Canadian Police Make Arrests In Stolen Truck Ring

Toronto police arrested 39 people Tuesday in a theft ring targeting tractor-trailers. They recovered $9 million in stolen property, reports Canada's CBC News, including such cargo items as motorcycles and cat food.

According to police, the thieves stole rigs mostly at random, often not knowing what the cargo was. They would then alter the trucks' identification numbers and resell them at about 50% of their market value.Tractor-trailer thefts are on the rise in the region. In 1993, 30 were stolen. Last year, the number was 135. Police discovered the theft ring while investigating the increase in stolen trucks. More than 120 police officers spent 10 months investigating the crimes. They have warrants for 18 more arrests.

While some fleets may view electronic logging devices only as a regulatory requirement, the data they collect can be integrated with mobile communication and back-office systems to improve efficiency, long-range planning and safety.